SUGAR
BOWL - SQUAWHIGH
ROUTE

DATE:
APRIL 2000
By: Erik Riegler

Background:
The route described is a moderately difficult 12-mile section of the Pacific
Crest Trail which runs along a spectacular ridgeline between Sugar Bowl Ski
Resort and Squaw Valley Ski Resort. In winter, it requires good traverse skiing
and backcountry navigation skills, as the trail and trail markers are not
visible. It can be done in either direction, but the route described here
goes from Sugar Bowl to Squaw Valley. Although it can be accomplished in one
long day, the usual way is to spend a night at the Benson Hut, a rustic Sierra
Club hut nestled into the north slope of Anderson Peak, about 3.5 miles from
the boundary of Sugar Bowl and 4.5 miles from the boundary of Squaw Valley.
Reservations for the Benson Hut are $8 a person and can be made by phone at
the Claire Tappan Lodge at (530) 426-3632.

USGS Topo Maps: Norden (7.5")
and Granite Chief (7.5").

Getting There: Take Highway
80 east out of Sacramento. Before Donner Summit (which drops down into Truckee),
take the Soda Springs exit and turn right (south). Follow the road a couple
of miles to the Sugar Bowl Ski Resort.

The Route: At Sugar Bowl,
either take the lift or ski up the resort trails to the top of Mt. Lincoln
(8,383'). From the top, follow the prominent ridgeline to the southeast for
approximately 3 miles to the southeast to Anderson Peak (8,683'). Stay to
the west of the ridgeline, as the prevailing west winds often form cornices
over the eastern lip of the ridge. The Benson Hut is nestled on the north
shoulder of Anderson Peak at treeline (approx. 8,320'). The hut has upper
and lower rooms, a wood burning stove and firewood. There is no running water
or electricity, and no permanent residents there.

From the Benson Hut, one can either
climb up and over the top of Anderson Peak or angle around the west side above
treeline to the southern flank, where the ridgeline continues to the southeast
for 1.5 miles to Tinker Knob (8,949'). This ridgeline has spectacular views
both to the east of the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe and to the west of
the Sierras and, on a clear day, the central valley. The route curls around
the east flank of Tinker Knob and then begins a gradual traversing descent
for about 2.5 miles to Mountain Meadow Lake (7,900'). A quarter mile beyond
the lake, take the gully which steepens before running into Squaw Creek and
the ski lifts of Squaw Valley. From here, it is possible to ski out through
Squaw Creek or take a lift and ski down the main runs at Squaw Valley.

The Photo: The photo is
of backcountry skier Landon Browning traversing the ridgeline running between
Anderson Peak and Tinker Knob, which had just received an overnight dusting
of spring snow. Just a few yards ahead on the ridgeline were pan-sized bear
tracks made earlier that morning.